AJ Ogilvy
February 2, 2021
Darington Hobson
- Nationality: USA
- Date of Birth: 29/09/87
- Place of Birth: Las Vegas, Nevada (USA)
- Position: G/F
- Height (CM): 201
- Weight (KG): 94
- Junior Assoc:
- College: USU Eastern (2007–2009) New México (2009–2010)
- NBL DEBUT: 16/12/19
- AGE AT DEBUT: 32
- LAST NBL GAME: 8/02/20
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 32
- NBL History: Illawarra 2020
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: Darington Hobson was born in Las Vegas, Nevada (USA) he attended Western High School in Las Vegas for his freshmen year, before moving to Houston, Texas to attend Alief Hastings High School.
At fifteen he attended Gulf Shores Academy, earning his nickname of “Butta” through his pick-up play in Houston.
He then moved to southern California and attended his fourth high school of Calvary Baptist Christian. Eventually, he finally moved to Decatur Christian in Illinois for prep school.
At Decatur Christian, Hobson was prompted by his coach, Alan Huss, to take the ACT, where he passed. Hobson, rated a 4-star recruit by Scout.com, was coming off a season where he averaged 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 7 assists.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Darington Hobson made his NBL debut with the Illawarra Hawks at 32 years of age. He scored three points in his first game.
After finishing seventh with a 12-16 record and missing the playoffs the previous season, Illawarra entered the new campaign under first-year head coach Matt Flinn. Kevin White (to Adelaide), Brian Conklin, Jordair Jett and Cedric Jackson departed, while the Hawks added former NBA guard Aaron Brooks, Next Star LaMelo Ball, Josh Boone (via Melbourne), Sunday Dech (via Perth) and Sam Froling around returning players Todd Blanchfield, AJ Ogilvy, Tim Coenraad and David Andersen.
Illawarra’s season was quickly disrupted when Brooks (17.9 points and 4.1 assists across 7 games) tore his Achilles in late October and was ruled out for the remainder of the season. Ball (17 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1.7 steals across 12 games) took on a larger role before bruising his foot during practice in early December. On December 5, former Milwaukee Bucks draftee Darington Hobson was signed as an injury replacement for Brooks for the remainder of the season, giving Illawarra another experienced ball-handler while Ball was sidelined.
Hobson (5.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.3 steals across 13 games) made his NBL debut against Melbourne on December 16, starting and finishing with 3 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals as Illawarra lost 73-94. Fellow new import Billy Preston (4 points and 4 rebounds) also made his debut, while Emmett Naar (16 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) led the Hawks and Melo Trimble (22 points) and Shawn Long (21 points, 14 rebounds, and 4 blocks) led Melbourne. Hobson’s 13-game total was primarily the result of joining midway through the season rather than injury, and after making his debut he appeared in 13 of Illawarra’s final 15 games, with no injury publicly reported around his absences against Brisbane on January 18 or Sydney in the season finale.
Hobson produced his first 13-point game against South East Melbourne on December 28, finishing with 13 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals as the Hawks lost 102-112. Blanchfield (22 points and 5 rebounds) and Dech (20 points and 6 rebounds) led Illawarra, while John Roberson (28 points and 5 assists), Tai Wesley (25 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Mitch Creek (25 points and 5 rebounds) led the Phoenix.
Against Melbourne on January 4, Hobson recorded 12 points, 3 rebounds, a season-high 10 assists, and 1 block as Illawarra lost 91-104. Coenraad (18 points), Blanchfield (14 points) and Boone (12 points and 14 rebounds) provided support, while Chris Goulding (21 points and 4 assists), Stanton Kidd (21 points and 5 rebounds) and Long (17 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks) led Melbourne.
Hobson’s best game of the season came against Sydney on January 24, where he came off the bench and made 5-of-10 shots to finish with 13 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal. Blanchfield (12 points and 4 rebounds), Boone (11 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Dech (11 points) provided support, but Deshon Taylor (17 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals), Jae’Sean Tate (17 points and 7 rebounds), Didi Louzada (14 points) and Daniel Kickert (14 points and 5 rebounds) led Sydney to a 102-79 victory, Illawarra’s biggest home loss of the season, while clinching a finals berth.
Blanchfield (13.3 points and 3.9 rebounds across 28 games) became Illawarra’s leading scorer following Brooks’ injury and won the Hawks’ MVP award for the second consecutive season, while Ball was named NBL Rookie of the Year. Dech (9.2 points and 3.7 rebounds across 27 games), Ogilvy (8.5 points and 6.3 rebounds across 26 games), Boone (8.2 points and 5.8 rebounds across 24 games), Coenraad (8.1 points across 28 games), Andersen (6.6 points across 16 games), Froling (6 points and 3.4 rebounds across 17 games) and Naar (5.6 points and 3.6 assists across 25 games) were the Hawks’ other major contributors.
Hobson’s final NBL appearance came against Melbourne on February 8, where he finished with 2 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals as Illawarra lost 72-95. Ogilvy (15 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals), Blanchfield (12 points) and Boone (10 points and 7 rebounds) led the Hawks, while Goulding (20 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists), Trimble (13 points, 9 assists, and 3 steals) and Long (13 points and 9 rebounds) led Melbourne.
“Success is measured in different ways. While we’re not happy with our record, we’re proud of the progress made and the exposure brought to the club,” Flinn said on the challenging season.
With Hobson out of the lineup, Illawarra closed the season at Qudos Bank Arena on February 14 with a 82-98 loss to Sydney, finishing ninth with a 5-23 record and ten consecutive losses.
Darington Hobson played one season in the NBL. He averaged 5.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in 13 NBL games.
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | 32 | Illawarra | 5-23 (9) | 13 | 300 | 77 | 54 | 54 | 13 | 41 | 17 | 4 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 100 | 29% | 8 | 46 | 17% | 11 | 16 | 69% | 36% | 33% | 13 | Totals | 13 | 300 | 77 | 54 | 54 | 13 | 41 | 17 | 4 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 100 | 29.0% | 8 | 46 | 17.4% | 11 | 16 | 68.8% | 36% | 33% | 13 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | 32 | Illawarra | 5-23 (9) | 13 | 23.1 | 5.9 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 1.0 | 3.2 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 2.2 | 2.1 | 2.2 | 7.7 | 29% | 0.6 | 3.5 | 17% | 0.8 | 1.2 | 69% | 36% | 33% | 13 | Total | 13 | 23.1 | 5.9 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 1.0 | 3.2 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 2.2 | 2.1 | 2.2 | 7.7 | 29.0% | 0.0 | 17.4% | 0.6 | 3.5 | 68.8% | 36% | 33% | 13 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 13 | 8 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
|---|
NBA EXPERIENCE
Darington Hobson was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks with pick #37 in the 2010 NBA Draft.
Hobson played 5 games in the NBA. He averaged 0.8 points, 0.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game over his NBA career.
NBA TRANSACTIONS:
- February 18, 2010: Traded by the Philadelphia 76ers (as a future 2010 2nd round draft pick) with Primož Brezec and Royal Ivey to the Milwaukee Bucks for Francisco Elson and Jodie Meeks.
- June 24, 2010: Drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2nd round (37th pick) of the 2010 NBA Draft.
- September 3, 2010: Signed a contract with the Milwaukee Bucks.
- December 2, 2010: Waived by the Milwaukee Bucks.
- December 6, 2010: Became a free agent after being waived by Milwaukee.
- December 10, 2011: Signed a multi-year contract with the Milwaukee Bucks.
- December 29, 2011: Assigned to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the G-League.
- January 4, 2012: Recalled from the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the G-League.
- January 18, 2012: Assigned to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the G-League.
- February 1, 2012: Recalled from the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the G-League.
- February 3, 2012: Waived by the Milwaukee Bucks.
- February 7, 2012: Became a free agent after being waived by Milwaukee.
| Season | Team | PTS | AST | STL | BLK | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 52% | 95% | 90% | 72% | ||||||
| 2 | 0 | 13 | 10 | 3 | 1 | ||||||
| Total | 29 | 100 | 29.0% | 8 | 46 | 17.4% |
NBA TOTAL STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-12 | 24 | Milwaukee | SG | 5 | 0 | 39 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 13 | 15% | 0 | 6 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 15% | 15% | Total | 5 | 0 | 39 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 13 | 15% | 0 | 6 | 0% | 0 | 0 |
NBA PER GAME STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-12 | 24 | Milwaukee | SG | 5 | 0 | 7.8 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 2.6 | 15% | 0.0 | 1.2 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 15% | 15% | Total | 5 | 0 | 7.8 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 2.6 | 15% | 1.2 | 0% |
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Israel - Hapoel Migdal Ha'emek (2013–2014) | Brazil - UniCEUB/BRB Brasília (2014–2015), Minas (2022), Botafogo (2023–present) | China - Guangxi Rhinos (2016) | Argentina - Atenas de Córdoba (2017–2018), Peñarol (2020–2021) | Greece - Panionios (2018), Rethymno Cretan Kings (2018) | Dominican Republic - Metros de Santiago (2018) | Italy - Auxilium Torino (2018–2019) | Montenegro - Mornar Bar (2019) | Iran - Khaneh Khuzestan (2021–2022)
Hobson joined Hapoel Migdal Haemek for the 2013–14 National League season in Israel and averaged 15.0 points, 10.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists across 11 games.
Hobson moved to Brazil for the 2014–15 NBB season with UniCEUB/BRB Brasília after signing on September 19, 2014, and he averaged 17.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists in six league games before leaving the club in December 2014.
He joined Guangxi Rhinos for the 2016 Chinese NBL season after signing on May 25, 2016, and four days later he debuted with 30 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and one steal against Hebei Xianglan.
Hobson signed with Atenas de Córdoba on November 10, 2017 for the 2017–18 Liga Nacional season in Argentina and averaged 10.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 16 games before leaving on February 2, 2018.
He signed with Panionios on January 29, 2018 for the Greek Basket League season but did not officially appear for the club.
Hobson remained in Greece and joined Rethymno Cretan Kings on March 2, 2018, averaging 4.2 points and 5.0 rebounds in six Greek Basket League games.
He then played for Metros de Santiago in the 2018 LNB season in the Dominican Republic after arriving from Atenas de Córdoba.
Hobson moved to Italy for the 2018–19 season with Auxilium Torino after signing on November 22, 2018, and he averaged 15.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 22 Lega Basket Serie A games while also posting 15.0 points and 10.0 rebounds in two EuroCup games.
He signed with Mornar Bar on July 29, 2019 for the 2019–20 season in Montenegro but left the club on August 23, 2019 before making an official appearance.
Hobson signed with Peñarol on October 11, 2020 for the 2020–21 Liga Nacional season in Argentina.
In 2021, he joined Khaneh Khuzestan for the Iranian season and averaged 18.0 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.
Hobson returned to Brazil when he signed with Minas on January 26, 2022 and appeared in two NBB games.
He later joined Botafogo for the 2023–24 NBB season in Brazil and averaged 8.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists in six games, and he remained listed with the club in the following seasons.
COLLEGE
Darington Hobson played junior college basketball at USU Eastern from 2007 to 2009, where he led the team to a 25–7 record and averaged 15.2 points and 8.7 rebounds per game while earning league recognition for his all-around production before transferring to New Mexico.
Upon enrolling at the University of New Mexico for the 2009–10 season, Hobson immediately made an impact for the Lobos, becoming the first player in school history to lead the team in points, rebounds, and assists in the regular season.
During that 2009–10 season, Hobson averaged 15.9 points per game, 9.3 rebounds, and 4.6 assists in 35 games, while also contributing 1.3 steals per game, marking him as one of the most versatile performers in Mountain West Conference play.
His junior year featured multiple standout individual performances, including a 30-point, 10-rebound game vs Louisiana Tech on November 21, 2009, a 22-point, 15-rebound effort vs California on December 2, 2009, and a 29-point, 12-rebound outing vs San Diego State on February 2, 2010, with an iconic half-court buzzer-beater before halftime.
On February 23, 2010, Hobson came within two points of a triple-double with 8 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists, a performance that underscored his all-around impact.
In the 2010 Mountain West Conference tournament, Hobson scored 28 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in a victory over Air Force, helping lead New Mexico to tournament success.
For his 2009–10 season, Hobson was recognised with multiple major awards: Mountain West Conference Player of the Year, Mountain West Newcomer of the Year, First-Team All-Mountain West, and was named an Associated Press Third Team All-American — the first Lobo to earn AP All-American status since 2005.
He was also one of 26 finalists for the John R. Wooden Award in 2010, reflecting his place among the nation’s top college players that year.
Across his NCAA Division I career at New Mexico, Hobson’s per-game totals of 15.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 4.6 assists on .440/.361/.653 shooting showcased his rare combination of scoring, rebounding, and playmaking for a frontcourt player.
Hobson’s 2009–10 season remains one of the most decorated in New Mexico history, blending high-end counting numbers with conference awards and national recognition before he was selected in the second round of the 2010 NBA Draft.
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